One of the things that I really love about watching birds is seeing how different species have adapted in different ways to fill various niches. They all have wings, beaks, and legs, but they use them so differently. Some fly thousands of miles, while others cannot fly at all. Some have strong, powerful beaks that can crush prey and tear meat, while others have minimal jaw strength and sip nectar or eat soft fruit. Woodpeckers, like this pretty little red bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) have stout, sturdy legs that allow them to climb trees, even almost straight upwards, with minimal effort and sometimes with astounding speed. She was moving quickly up the trunk of one of my live oak trees while she searched for insects. She seemed very determined in this shot, and it paid off. She quickly reached her destination, a dead branch that is filled with insects and larvae. Once there she immediately began working away at a junction in the branch that seems to be a favorite area for all the woodpeckers.